Most awards shows have a monologue, but the 2018 Grammy Awards went with a fiery opening from Kendrick Lamar, who delivered a bombshell collaboration with U2… and Dave Chappelle.
The comedian interrupted Lamar’s performance to remind the audience that “the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America.”
Later in Lamar’s set, Chappelle interrupted to ask: “Is this okay for CBS?”
“It looks like he’s singing and dancing, but this man is taking enormous chances,” Chapelle said of Kendrick’s performance, which featured an American flag in the backdrop and dancers dressed as soldiers.
After the opening, host James Corden welcomed the audience and viewers to the show.
“This year, we don’t just have the most diverse group of nominees in Grammys history,” the late night stalwart said. “We also have, for the second year in a row, the least diverse host in Grammy’s history.”
Just after his opening performance, Lamar won the first award of the night, Best Rap Sung Performance for “Loyalty.”